Final answer:
Interferons do not stimulate macrophage replication but rather, they activate macrophages and other immune cells in response to viral infections. They also play a significant role in inhibiting viral replication and enhancing the overall immune response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Interferons stimulate macrophage replication' is False. Interferons are a class of cytokines, which are small proteins released by cells infected with a virus. The role of interferons is to signal a viral infection to other cells. They achieve this by activating uninfected cells to produce compounds that can inhibit viral replication. Additionally, interferons play a significant part in activating immune cells such as macrophages and T cells, but they do not stimulate macrophage replication.
Interferons have multiple roles in the immune response. They signal neighboring uninfected cells to destroy RNA and reduce protein synthesis. They can also cause infected cells to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Moreover, they play an important role in tumor surveillance.
Thus, the primary function of interferons is not to stimulate the replication of macrophages, but to mobilize and activate them against a viral invasion. They also contribute significantly to inhibiting viral replication and enhancing the overall immune response to infectious diseases.
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